Celebrate Bloomsday in Dublin – Friday June 16th 2017

From Dublin City guides, to tours and the Bloomsday Festival there really is no excuse not to celebrate James Joyce and Ulysses this year. You can take yourself to the Martello Tower in Sandycove and work your way through the streets of Dublin by bicycle or on foot, or you can just sit back and enjoy a drink in its name. The choice is yours, but to help you decide here are ‘Five Things to do to Celebrate Bloomsday in Dublin’ this year.

‘James Joyce – Romping through Ulysses Guide’ by At it Again

image source: At it Again

I get asked for recommendations on Dublin quite often, with questions on anything from dining to dancing. Whenever James Joyce’s name comes up in conversation, I always recommend the ‘At it Again‘ guides. For Bloomsday and for only €8.00, you can bag yourself a gorgeously illustrated, Irish designed and made pocket-size travel literature guide ‘Romping through Ulysses‘.

The guide which At it Again call ‘Ulysses in 25 minutes’ not only gives you the story behind Bloomsday, but also includes maps, things to do and quotes. Whether you’re a seasoned fan of Ulysses, or only embarking on the joys of its pages, this guide will make your journey even more enjoyable.

Bloomsday Festival, 11 -16th June

image source: Bloomsday Festival

Fret not if you haven’t involved yourself in the many Bloomsday Festival events so far. Don’t dismay when you’re faced with ‘SOLD OUT’ as you scroll down the Bloomsday Festival programme online. Although many of the events that are celebrating Bloomsday this Friday June 16th, are indeed sold out (put them in your diary for next year), there are many still waiting for you to join them … and FREE EVENTS too like … ‘Bloomsday Reading & Songs with Poet Stephen James Smith’ in Meeting House Square and ‘Merrion Square Artists on Bloomsday’. For the full programme visit bloomsdayfestival.ie

Bloomsday at the James Joyce Centre, North Great George’s Street

image source: Bloomsday Festival

With Bloomsday Breakfasts and Afternoon Teas completely sold out, the James Joyce Centre will be a hive of activity on Friday. However they are offering a limited number of places for special guided visits on the day. The tour which encourages you to be dressed for the occasion includes the Ulysses Exhibition, the table where Joyce worked on Finnegans Wake, the door of No. 7 Eccles Street and a virtual reality Ulysses experience with ‘Joycestick’. Booking is essential and tickets are €5.00.

Bloomsday 2017 at the James Joyce Tower & Museum

image source: James Joyce Tower

The James Joyce Tower & Museum kicked off their festival on June 10th but have lots in store for Bloomsday on Friday 16th. They will open their doors early at 8am, allowing visitors to start the day just as Stephen did at the Sandycove Martello Tower. Events of the day include readings by Bryan Murray from ‘Ulysses’ and a performance by Caitríona Ní Threasaigh. All events are free, a special bonus to the fact you can visit the place where it all began. For more information visit joycetower.ie

Theatre Time! this Bloomsday!

image source: Dubliners Women

Theatre is alive and kicking on Bloomsday in Dublin and here are my recommendations:

“Birth. Love. Death. 100 years ago.
Immerse yourself in the hidden worlds of Eveline, Clay and The Boarding House, three short stories by one of the 20th Century’s greatest writers, James Joyce. Dubliners’ Women shines a light on the female narratives in Joyce’s iconic collection of stories, and their resonances with Ireland today.”

“A play full of drunkenness, song, history, infidelity and the everlasting question of who belongs where. Using the chapter as a framework to hang the story Bloom’s troublesome day, it’s a tragi-comic slice of Dublin life that holds more than enough resonances for the Ireland of today.”